Drying apparatus



1927 -c. J. HUNT DRYING APPARATUS Fileq Nov. 20, 1926 s Sheets-Sheetl "April 5 Q1927, 1,623,540

c. J. HUNT DRYING APPARATUS Filed Nomad. i926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 15-1 7. I W K 3 ammq .5. c. J. Q 7 Q DRYING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 20, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 /m\. one u n 0H0 H Ho 0U 0U W v .e 0% w Patented Apr. 1927.

5 UNITED STATES.

cnan'ms J. nunr, or BABNSDALL, oxmmon, nssrenoa or THIRTY-FIVE ran cum 4 1,623,540 PATENT OFFICE.

TO EARL G. INFIEIJD, 01' BABNSDA LL, OKLAHOMA.

, mums arena-Ares.

Application fil ed November 20, 1826. Serial No. 149,681.

This invention relates to drying apparahis and it is anlobject ofthe invention to provide an apparatus of this kind embody ing a. rotating drum ortumbler to ether with means for causing air to have etiective travelror circulation-through such drum or tumbler.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this kind wherein the air before entering the drum or tumbler may beheated together with means for discharg ing dry steam withintheair shortly before the same enters the drum or tumbler.

' better understood, I will now proceed to de-. scribe the same with reference to the ac- An additional object of the invention is to provide'a device of this kind embodying a housing or casing in which is mounted a drum or tumbler together with means operable upon explosionwithin the casing or housing to effect discharge therein of a fire extinguishing medium. 1.

The invention also has for an object to provide an apparatus of this kind embodying a drum or tumbler together with means 7 for forcing air through the drum or tumbler by two spaced fans with a third fanjpositioned between said first two named fans for drawing the air whereby an effective circulation is assured.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and ar rangement of the several parts of my improved drying apparatus whereby certain important advantages areattained and the device rendered simpleraless expensive and otherwise" more convenient and advantageous foruse, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the companying drawings. wherein Figure 1 is a'view in side elevation illuse 'trating a. drying apparatus. constructed in accordance with an embodiment of'my in vention; a

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line '2-2 of-Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentarysectiona'l view taken, substantially on; the line 33 of Figure' l'; I

Figure 4 is. a vert cal sectional viewtaken through the machine as herein discloscd;. Figure 5-is a fragmentary detailed sectional View partly in elevation and partly in lan of the valve for controlling the entry mto the housing or casing of the fire. extinguishing medium;

Figure 6 is; a fragmentary elevational view illustrating a means for manually imparting rotation to the drum or tumbler;

Figure 7 is a view in front elevation of the structure as illustrated in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a. fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevation of a portion of the means for discharging dry steam into theair before entering the drum or tumbler; Figure 9 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Figure 1.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, my improved apparatus embodies a 'structure provided with a casing or com- .well known manner with a drive belt. It is to be understood, however, that I 'do not desire to limit myself to any particular driving means for the drum or tumbler 2.

The upper portion of the structure is provided with a loading door 8 of any (lcsire'l construction while the peripheral wall of the drum or tumbler 2 is provided with a door 9. ion the door 9 is in proper position with the. door 8 clothing or the'like tO' l)( subjected to the drying action of an air ci'r- I culation may be readily placed within the drum or tumbler. In the event the drum or tumbler 2 should-come to a standstill with.

the-door 9 out of position with respect to the door 8,,a' manually operated gear 10 may he swung into operative engagement with the gear 5 to effect the desired rotation of the wall 15 of the structure. When the gear 10 is in operative engagement with the gear 5, the bracket 11 is locked against swinging movement by the holding arm 16 carried by the bracket 11 and having a forked extremity 17 adapted to straddle the arm or lug 14..

. and the inner end portion of a conduit 21.

The conduit 21 adjacent to the rear wall 22 of the structure is laterally offset to provide a chamber 23 in communication, as at 24, with the atmosphere.

Arranged within the chamber 23 is a suction fan 25 having associated with each of its blades. a throw-off blade 26, said blade 26 being interposed between and supported by a blade of the fan and a disc '27. The fan 25 and the disc 27 are mounted upon a shaft 28 extending transversely of the structure at the lower rear portion thereof and which are also disposed through the transversely aligned chambers 29 arranged at opposite sides of the chamber 23 and the adjacent outer portion of the conduit 21. This shaft 28 extends beyond the side wall 15 of the structure and said extended portion is provided with a fixed pulley 30 and a loose pulley 31 with which a drive belt is adapted to coact in a well known manner through themedium of a belt shifter 32.

Disposed vertically within the .structure and interposed between the side walls 15 thereof is a partition 33 having its upper portion forwardly disposed, as at 34, to provide a deliveryconduit from the upper portion of the heating air chamber 35 provided between the partition 33 and the rear wall 22 of the structure. The space 36 between the partitions 18 and 33 provides what may be termed a cold air conduit, the extension 34 of the partition 33 serving to properly direct the discharge from the conduit 36 toward the drum or tumbler 2. The flow of air through the conduit 36 is under control of a swinging damper 37 while the discharge from the upper portion of the heating air chamber 35 is under control of the swinging damper 38. These dampers 37 and 38 operate in unison but in reverse directions so that when one is in open position the other isin closed position.

In the present embodiment of my invention, the hinged or pivoted end'portion of the damper 37 is provided wit a rock arm 39 extending within. the conduit 6 and has operatively engaged therewith a rod 40 also operatively engaged with a rock arm 41 carried by ashaft 42. This shaft 42 is supported by the side walls 15 of the structure and an end portion of said shaft extends outwardly of Its associated side wall and has fixed thereto an operating" lever 43; The

positions in accordance with the requirements of practice Each of the chambers 29 has its outer end open to the atmosphere through a side wall 15 of the structure. Aflixed to the shaft 28 within each of such chambers 29 at the induction or entrance end thereof is a suction fan 46 each of the blades of which being provided with a throw-off and guiding blade 47 leading to and further supported by a disc 48 carried by the shaft 29 adjacent the inner or closed end of the chamber 29. As the shaft 28 rotates each of the fans 46 serves to draw a current of air within its chamber 29 while the blades 47 operate to draw and guide such air upwardly into either the chamber 35 or conduit 36 in accordance with the position of the damper 37-. When the damper 37 is in its full open position it intersects the lower portion of the chamber 35 thus assuring .the air blast to pass through the conduit 36 to effect a circulation of what might be termed cold air through the drum or tumbler 2.

Suitably supported within the upper portion of the chamber 39 is a heating unit 49 herein disclosed as comprising a pipe coil through which steam or kindred heating fluid is adapted to circulate. This coil 49 is in communication with a suitable source of steam supply or the like by the pipe 50, flow through which being controlled by the valve 51 of any desired type. When the damper 37 is closed, and consequently the damper 38 opened, the air will pass upwardly through the chamber 35 and be effectively heated through the medium of the coil 49.

The rear wall 22 of the structure is provided in its upper portion with the door 52 whereby convenient access may be had to the unit 49 as desired and also to permit the ready application or removal ofsuch coil.

The upper portion of the partition 33 has extending thereacross a casing 53 extending inwardly of the upper portion of the chamber 35 and bein provided in its outer portion with the minute discharge or jet openings 54 throu'ghwhich dry steam ii -adapted to be projected to intersect the'aifblast as it passes from the chamber 35 to further assure the effective heating thereof. Extending within this casing 53 and disposed sub-. stantially entirely therealong is a returned steam pipe 55, the upper member of which being provided with the jets 56 directed toward the jets -54 hereinbefore referred to. The resultsin the steam as discharged withm the'chamber 35 being what might be termed superheated or dried any condensation which may be'within' the lead a of thesteam pipe will be carried off by the exteriorlyinterposed in the exterior portion of the return. I) while discharge from such receptacle is under control of'the valve 59. This valve 55) is interposedin a pipe line leadinglrom the lower portion of the receptacle 57 to a suitable point of-discharge.

It is to be understood that when it is desired to empty the container 57 the valve 58 is closed before the valve 59 is opened. It is also preferred that the pipe line 60 deliver within the carry-o'tl' or returned pipe 61 leading from the coil 49.

The top wall 19of the structure above the drum or tumbler 2is provided with an opening 62 normally closed by a swinging door This openin 62 is of such size that in the event an explosion should occur Within the casing or compartment 1, the door 63 will beswung open under the force of such explosion. it comes into contact with atrigger 6f]: carried by a bracket 65 and releases such trigger from the stem 66 of a valve 6 7. The bracket 65, as herein disclosed, is carried by the casing 68 in which'the valve 67 operates. As is clearly indicated in Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings, the valve 67 is of a sliding type and normally closes the communication 69 between the valve casing 68 and the interior of the casing or compartment 1. The stem 66 has associated therewith a spring 70 .which, upon release of the trigger 64 from the stem 66, assures the valve 67 moving into open position.

The casing 68 has in communication therewith the steam line 71 leading from the line 50 'hereinbefore referred to so that when'the Valve 67 is in open position steam will be caused to discharge within the casing or com artment .1 1n suchvolume to extinguis The lead, a of-the returnedpipe line 55 has interposed therein the controlling valve 72.

I find it of advantage to have in-electrical connection with the shaft 3 of the drum byreason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operlimiting As this door swings outwardly ment, an intermediate means 'for 'the air from the lower portion of partment, and'means for delivering steam within the air beforeentering the compartany fire which may occur therein as' a result of explos1on.

vair chamber or chute,

ated, and it will also be obvious that my inv vention is susceptible ofsomechange and modification without departing from the principles and reason I do not wish to be understood as myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim a spirit thereof and for this 1. A device of the class described coinprising a structure provided with an tumbler compartme a tumbler working therein,

111, means for drawing air from the opposite sides of the structure and discharging the discharging the same in the upper portion of the compartment, an intermediate -means for drawing the 'air from thelower portion of the compartment, andmeans for heating the air before entering the compartment.

3. A device of the class described comprising a structure provided with a tumbler compartment, a tumbler working therein, means for drawing air from the opposite means for drawing air from the opposite of the compartsides of the structure and discharging the same in the upper portion of the compartdrawing the com ment.-- V V v 4. A machine of the class described comprising a structure includmga tumbler comlUll partment, a tumbler working therein, the in- -ner wall of the compartment terminating below the top wall of the structure, a partition interposed between the inner wall of the compartmentand the adjacent wall of the structure providing an air chamber and chute, the upper ends of the chamberand chute delivering within the upper portion of thev compartment, means for drawing air from opposite sides of the structure and discharging the same upwardly through the means interposed be tween said air drawing means for drawing the air out from the bottom of the compartment, dampers for controlling the flow through'thement, and means for connecting said damp ers for unitary movement in reverse rections whereby one of the dampers is open while the other is closed.

5. A machine of the class described com- I.

prising a structure includin a tumbler compartment, 0. tumbler wor g therein,

air chamber and the compart- & v

the inner wall of the compartment termi-- 'mea'ns interposed between said air drawing means for drawing the air out from the bottom of the compartment, dampers for controlling the flow through the air chamber and the compartment, means for connecting said'dampers for unitary movement in reverse directions whereby one of the dampers is open while the other is clofed, and a heating medium within the chamber.

6. A machine ofthe class described comprising a structure including a tumbler compartment, a tumbler inner wall bf the compartment terminating below the top wall of the structurefa partition interposed between the inner wall of the compartment and the adjacent wall of the structure providing an air chamber and chute, the upper ends of the chamber and chute deliveringv within the upper portion of the compartment, means for drawing air from opposite sides of the structure and discharging the same upwardly through the air chamber or chute, means interposed between said 'air drawing means for drawing the air out from the bottom of the compartment, dampers for controlling the flow through the air chamber and the compartment, means for connecting said dampers for unitary movement in reverse directions. whereby one of the dampers is open while the other is closed, and means arranged exteriorly of the structure for operating the dampers.

7. A machine of the class described com-- prising a structure including a tumbler compartment, a ,tmnbler working therein, the-inner wall of the compartment terminating below the top wall of the structure, a partition interposed between the inner wall of the compartment and the adjacent wall of the structure providing an air working therein, the

chamber and chute, the upperends'of the chamber and chute delivering within the upper portion of the compartment, means for drawing air from opposite sides of the structure and discharging the same .upwardly through the air chamber or chute, means interposed between said air drawing means for drawing the air out from the bottom of the compartment, dampers for controlling the flow through the air chamber and the con'ipartment, means for connecting said dampers for unitary movement in reverse directions whereby one of the dampers is open while the other .is closed, a casing disposed along the upper portion of the partition and extending inwardly of the air chamber, said casing being provided with jet openings, and means for delivering steam within said casing for discharge into the air chamber through the jet openings.

8. A device of the class described coinprising a structure provided with a tumbler compartment, a tumbler working therein,

means for drawing air from the opposite sides of the structure and discharging the same in the upper portion of the compartment, an intermediate means for drawing the'air from the lower portion of the coinpartment, means for delivering steam within the air before entering-the compartment, and means for sepai iting moisture from the steam before the steam is delivered within the air.

9, A machine'of the class described comprising a compartment, a tumbler working therein, a steam line in communication with the compartment, anormally closed valve interposed in said steam line, a wall of the compartment having an opening in communication therewith, a swinging door for closing said opening and moving outwardly upon explosion 'within the compartment, a

trigger for holding the valve in open position, said door in its outward swinging imovement striking the trigger to release the valve from its normal position, and means for moving the, valve into open position when released to permit the steam to enter the compartment.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

CHARLES J. HUNT. 

